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State regulators voted unanimously Wednesday to cancel a planned public hearing next week over a controversial rule that defines and caps the costs of renewable energy to public utilities and their customers.
The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission also voted to launch a whole new rule-making for the so-called reasonable cost threshold.
Also filed under [
Energy Policy|
New Mexico]
Oil and gas drillers make technological leaps, while renewable energy industry struggles
May 4, 2013 by Associated Press in Washington Post
May 4, 2013 by Associated Press in Washington Post
But the outlook for wind, batteries and biofuels is as dim as it's been in a decade. Global greenhouse gas agreements have fizzled. Dazzling discoveries have been made in laboratories, and some of these may yet develop into transformative products, but alternative energy technologies haven't become cheaper or more useful than fossil fuels. ..."In many cases, renewables aren't ready for primetime yet."
The long-running quest of Larry LeBlanc and his son-in-law, Michael Carlino, to build the twin 262-foot turbines received a boost in R.I. Superior Court when Associate Justice Kristin Rodgers denied appeals by the Town Council and abutters of the property to halt the turbine project, which has been before town officials and boards since 2010.
Also filed under [
General|
Rhode Island]
Darwen's MP says he is delighted that plans to erect a wind turbine on land near Bull Hill have again been turned down by planning officers. ...It was the fourth time a variation of the planning application had been submitted to Blackburn with Darwen Council.
The bill, which also is known as he Alabama Wind Energy Conversion Systems Act of 2013, is in trouble because of a filibuster by Democrats that has locked it up past the required introduction deadline. That forces the bill to get unanimous approval before it could be introduced.
Vt. Legislature's push to address concerns about wind power projects sputters, splinters
May 4, 2013 by Andrew Stein in VT Digger
May 4, 2013 by Andrew Stein in VT Digger
On Friday, the Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee agreed to the House's pared-down version of what was originally a bill regulating large wind turbine projects, including a three-year moratorium.
But although Senate bill 30 is moving forward without any controls on energy siting, some key provisions are still on the table.
Also filed under [
Energy Policy|
Vermont]
Clean Energy Center explains how flicker study is conducted, Kingston town planner challenged
May 4, 2013 by Kathryn Gallerani in The Patriot Ledger
May 4, 2013 by Kathryn Gallerani in The Patriot Ledger
The Board of Health has been discussing creating shadow flicker regulations and may hire an engineer with knowledge of flicker effect to analyze the flicker study report.
The question, was there ever a shadow flicker study done before the Independence was installed, has been a point of contention at public meetings as recently as last week. Town Planner Tom Bott, for one, has come under fire by Leland Road residents Doreen and Sean Reilly, among others.
Also filed under [
General|
Massachusetts]
Commanders of bases like Cherry Point air station and Seymour Johnson Air Force Base cannot approve or oppose any wind turbine project under orders from the U.S. Secretary of Defense.
This bill requires that they be notified and would allow hearings on proposed wind turbine projects, which lie in the flight path or training areas for the military.
Also filed under [
Safety|
North Carolina]
Insurance industry wary of covering farms with turbines after Collingwood court ruling
May 3, 2013 in Sarnia Lambton Independent
May 3, 2013 in Sarnia Lambton Independent
The insurance industry, which does not have uniform policies on liability insurance for farms with industrial turbines, is closely watching the situation. "As more and more turbines go up and more and more liability suits are presented, you will be able to tell the appetite of the insurance companies, whether they will cover farms (with turbines)."
AGL Energy (AGL) this week announced that an independent noise compliance assessment on the wind turbines by the AECOM company had shown the farm was operating within the noise limits set down in its planning permit.
However, Annie Gardner said residents who lived near the turbines could still not sleep at night.
DTE replacing broken blade; Still no reason for turbine accident
May 3, 2013 by Nich Wolak in Huron Daily Tribune
May 3, 2013 by Nich Wolak in Huron Daily Tribune
Scott L. Simons, DTE Energy spokesman, previously told the Tribune that the utility received an alarm at 1 a.m., and later found that one of the blades at the Sigel site appeared to be damaged. Part of a blade had fallen and was on the ground. ...Last year, two GE-manufactured turbines experienced broken blades in East Central Illinois.
"If InfraVest continues to neglect the danger its wind turbines pose to the local residents, they should get out of Taiwan," said Lin, stating that the promotion of green energy should be a common priority of the government and all societies, with an actual plan that is safe yet eco-friendly.
Plan commission tabled proposed wind farm regulations
May 3, 2013 by Seth Slabaugh in The Star Press
May 3, 2013 by Seth Slabaugh in The Star Press
An overflow crowd of about 75 people showed up at a city-county plan commission meeting Thursday night in opposition to a possible Delaware County wind farm.
Also filed under [
Zoning/Planning|
Indiana]
Wind industry still awaits first eagle-take permit under BGEPA
May 3, 2013 by Mark Del Franco in North American Windpower
May 3, 2013 by Mark Del Franco in North American Windpower
NAW has learned that West Butte Wind Power LLC has withdrawn its permit application enabling the developer to "take" golden eagles at a proposed wind project in central Oregon. ...the developer withdrew its take permit request in March due to the difficulty in finding a power purchase agreement (PPA) for the project.
Zoning board to vote on assertion that turbines are excessively noisy
May 2, 2013 by Michael C. Bailey in The Enterprise
May 2, 2013 by Michael C. Bailey in The Enterprise
Neil P. Andersen of Blacksmith Shop Road filed the appeal in November, asking the zoning board to overturn Building Commissioner Eladio R. Gore's ruling that Wind 1 did not present a nuisance by virtue of excessive noise-a ruling issued in response to a complaint by Mr. Andersen.
"While I understand the concerns that this bill could take funding away from other sources of renewable energy, I believe that lower electricity rates will provide families much needed relief in their household budgets and improve the prospect of jobs going forward," Kelly said after the vote.
Also filed under [
Energy Policy|
Connecticut]
$40,000 payment sets off debate; Developer of rejected wind site makes proposal contingent on ruling's reversal
May 2, 2013 by Brandon Lawrence in Monadnock Ledger-Transcript
May 2, 2013 by Brandon Lawrence in Monadnock Ledger-Transcript
The Select Board voted Monday night to delay the decision whether to accept a $40,000 compensation from Antrim Wind Energy until after the state committee that turned down the project in February releases its final order. ..."It does look like you're taking a bribe," said Kat Affholter.
Also filed under [
General|
New Hampshire]
Certificate to build large N.C. wind farm is renewed
May 2, 2013 by Jeff Hampton in The Virginian-Pilot
May 2, 2013 by Jeff Hampton in The Virginian-Pilot
Atlantic Wind, a subsidiary of Iberdrola Renewables, has yet to sign a contract with a power company to purchase electricity generated by the proposed 150 turbines, said Wayne Harris, director of economic development in Pasquotank County.
Also filed under [
General|
North Carolina]
A proposed western Wisconsin wind farm, rejected in February, gets another try
May 2, 2013 by Judy Newman in Wisconsin State Journal
May 2, 2013 by Judy Newman in Wisconsin State Journal
The state Public Service Commission voted 2 to 1 to give developer Emerging Energies, of Hubertus, a chance to offer new information showing that the proposed Highland wind farm would meet state noise standards.
Lightning damages wind turbine; Another storm has caused problems for the wind turbine
May 2, 2013 in El Dorado Times
May 2, 2013 in El Dorado Times
An inspection of the damage was performed on Wednesday confirming a lightning strike. Results of the inspection show the damage does not appear to be extensive.